Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
I am a marriage officiant who does more than sign your marriage license certificate- I create the words that will express this important moment of your lives. Whether you need an interfaith wedding ceremony script, a civil wedding ceremony, a mix of traditions, or the inclusion of your own unique ideas and stories, I can fulfill your needs. Hundreds of 5 star reviews put me inThe Knot's Hall of Fame.
Whether you need a one day marriage officiant who meets you for your elopement, or a wonderfully personalized wedding ceremony telling your story at a stunning NYC venue, Gerald Fierst, Wedding Officiant and Civil Celebrant, will make your wedding ceremony the words you will always celebrate and recall.
The average cost for a wedding officiant in the NYC/NJ area ranges from $300-$1200 depending on the amount of personalization, travel, and scheduling of rehearsal.
A top rated wedding officiant will write a simple ceremony that acknowledges family tradition and the couples needs but will make the couple the heart of the wedding, avoiding long speeches by the officiant.
Wedding Wire and The Knot both offer lists of wedding officiants. Look for an officiant who is registered in your state. Every state has different requirements for certified signatories on a wedding license.
Wedding officiants will have a 1-2 hour planning conference with the couple to determine the content of the ceremony. Gerald Fierst offers this service and has won several awards for being a top wedding officiant.
The NYC/NJ area offers spectacular locations for an elopement ceremony. While the signing of the license is the legality, a best wedding officiant will have suggestions to structure the ceremony to create a memorable and unique event.
In NJ, a Civil Celebrant specializes in interfaith and non religious ceremonies. NY and other states depending on their law, designate the title of interfaith minister as a signatory for a non religious ceremony.
A wedding rehearsal is a basic walk through so that everyone knows the physical details of the ceremony. Thus, the rehearsal is best if everyone who is in the wedding party is available. Therefore, rehearsals are often scheduled on the day of the wedding before the guests arrive. If the venue and the couple wish to have a rehearsal on a separate day, the officiant may include an additional charge.
NJ and NY no longer allow 100% virtual weddings since pandemic era laws expired. While you may have a live stream or virtual component to your wedding, the officiant has to be physically present.
Ask or find out if they are a certified Civil Celebrant (secular) or have another religious equivalent. You will look at photos of your wedding officiant for the rest of your married life. Choose someone with whom you feel a connection and who will be able to create a ceremony that reflects your needs and wishes.
In NJ, Civil Celebrant is a registered signatory for a wedding license. Judges and Mayors are also able to sign a wedding license.
When looking for a wedding officiant, meet the officiant. Individual officiants will have reviews posted on such sites as The Knot and Wedding Wire.
The best way to contact an officiant is by text or email including the date, location, and time of your ceremony.
Couples need to obtain their wedding license from the clerk of the state or municipality where the wedding will take place. In NJ, the couple must obtain the license from the clerk where they live although it is filed with the clerk of the location where the ceremony takes place.
Ready to Say I Do? Contact Gerald Fierst
Call Gerald 973.464.1374 Copyright © 2023 Gerald Fierst, Wedding Officiant The Heart of the Wedding- All Rights Reserved.
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